Sutural bones

Definition

Sutural bones, also known as Wormian bones, are extra bone pieces that occur within the sutures of the cranial bones. They vary in number and size among individuals and are typically found in the lambdoid suture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sutural bones are most commonly located in the lambdoid suture of the skull.
2. Their presence can be an anatomical variation and is not usually indicative of any pathology.
3. Sutural bones form due to additional ossification centers in the cranial sutures during development.
4. They are more frequently observed in certain populations and genetic conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta and cleidocranial dysostosis.
5. These bones can complicate surgical procedures involving the skull due to their variability in number and location.

Review Questions

Related terms

Cranial Sutures: Fibrous joints connecting the bones of the skull.

Ossification Centers: Specific regions where bone tissue forms during development.

Lambdoid Suture: The dense, fibrous connective tissue joint on the posterior aspect of the skull that connects the parietal bones with the occipital bone.